What is Futsal?
After moved to the United States, I was surprised (and still) how many people haven’t heard about futsal, and still most of people don’t know, depending on the area.
In case you don’t know, in few words: 5v5 game (4 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper) played on a court (indoors or outdoors) fast paced and tight spaces. Popular in South American and European countries due to be an easier set up to play and affordability. Most of the times is played in the streets.
Development tool
If you actually look at the game of futsal, it is harder to be played. The ball moves quicker, there is less space to think, increasing the speed of the decisions made and way more touches on the ball when compared to a soccer match.
What do you think it will happen to your speed of thought when introduced to this game in their earlier stages of development? Will they think faster? Will they be better on the ball?
Futsal is probably the best way to learn how to manage the ball and to make quick decisions under pressure. The fact the game is played on a flat surface, requires the technical skills to be more accurate.
On the ball
- Passing: Weight of the ball, into space, to feet, in the air.
- Dribbling: Good ball control, weight of the touch, small and big touches, spatial awareness and execution of skills.
- Shooting: Smaller goal, requires more accuracy and exploration of different ways to score goals.
Off the ball
- Spatial awareness.
- Full engagement to keep the ball in play.
- Constant attacking and defending.
- Constant movement off the ball to create space.
4 second restart
On top of everything listed above, this specific rule makes the game even more interesting and engaging. Every restart, free kicks, corner kicks, goal kicks, kick ins, have to be done in 4 seconds. Which helps a lot, especially at young ages where it forces them to be ready not only when your team has the possession of the ball or not.
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If you are new to the sport and would like to see what it looks like, here is a futsal video.
